Montverde Academy senior James Tanis qualified for the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) state championship after winning in the snatch event at the FHSAA Regional Championship on Wednesday in Bushnell.

Tanis lifted 185 pounds in the snatch event to finish first out of 12 weightlifters in the 219 pound weight class to receive the automatic qualifier into the state championship meet scheduled to take place between Thursday, April 21 and Saturday April 23 at Port St. Joe High School in Port St. Joe, Florida.

While none of the other weightlifters qualified for the state championship meet, many of them recorded personal bests as the team is well on its way to building off of the success it has had in this inaugural season.

Oliver Dixon recorded a new personal best in the clean and jerk with 135 pounds. Jason Kong lifted 160 pounds in the clean and jerk, while Quintin Barnhill lifted a new personal high, 170 pounds in the clean and jerk.

"I am very proud of James for qualifying for the state meet, but also very proud of the entire team," said weightlifting head coach Taran Smith. "This was the first year of weightlifting being a sport at Montverde Academy, and we had nine weightlifters qualify for regionals. Overall, I thought we were a great success and I'm sure we'll build off of this year's foundation.